High School Hit In Arkansas, Damage Reported In Louisiana As Severe Weather Strikes South

 Jan Wesner Childs

Published: January 2, 2023

T​he year's first round of severe weather took aim at the South Monday, damaging a high school and other buildings in Arkansas, knocking down large trees in Louisiana and bringing a threat of hail, high winds and flooding through Tuesday night.

Bleachers and lights were ripped down at Jessieville High School, in Garland County about 45 miles west of Little Rock. Other property at the school's football stadium was left in a twisted mess.

D​owned trees and some structural damage were also reported further to the south in Union County, Arkansas.

T​here were no immediate reports of injuries.

N​umerous large trees were knocked down around Jonesboro, Louisiana, where the National Weather Service warned of a particularly dangerous situation as storms moved through there around 5 p.m. local time.

Strong tornadoes, damaging winds, hail and flash flooding are all threats in parts of the South through Tuesday night. The risk is greatest in parts of Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana.

(​MORE: The Latest Severe Weather Forecast)

January's reputation for bone-chilling cold usually doesn't make you think of damaging tornadoes, but they happen most years, and sometimes there can be large outbreaks. While it's most common in the south, winter tornadoes do occasionally spin up farther north.

E​veryone in the path of these potentially dangerous storms should remain alert, closely monitor local conditions and have a plan to seek shelter.

A fallen tree and broken branches rest on a vehicle in Jessieville, Arkansas, on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.